"Nurturer-sama."
The little dragons bowed their heads and saluted one after another. Even Nickel Dragon Bido, who had the most selfish desires, showed some sincere respect at this time.
During the Dragon Hatchling period, although they were close to Nurturer, they were more in awe and fear.
It was not until after leaving Ochre Valley that Hatchling Dragon's strength increased. When they saw the outside world, their fear of Valyria gradually diminished, but the respect and love in their hearts increased instead of decreasing.
"You have all grown up and are stronger than I expected. This is good."
Valyria glanced at them and nodded slightly. "But now is the war period, time is tight, so there is no need to say useless words. Ferrum, come with me, you are Plateau Lord, I have some words and things that need to be explained."
Ferrum and his companions looked at each other and signaled them to wander around the fortress first, then left the group alone to keep up with Valyria.
Young Dragon walked forward along the city wall with extremely fast strides, passing through the slaughterhouse where animals were being slaughtered, passing by warehouses filled with arrows and iron tools, and finally stopped at the city wall on the west side of Ash Fortress.
Outside the city wall are the hills Wilds that originally belonged to Bloodridge. The land in the distance is undulating, like the back of Giant Dragon. The sky is covered with a layer of gray-black clouds. Occasionally, lightning flashes deep in the clouds, illuminating the smoke and several slowly moving battle flags.
"I didn't expect the war to come so suddenly."
Ferrum came to Valyria and took the initiative to speak, "As early as the Dragon Hatchling period, I heard the story of Karajiege from Gray Dwarves. He is Lord Gray Mountain is also the father of Gax. Originally, I was planning to go to Ridgehold to visit this lord, but unexpectedly I suddenly got the news that he died in battle. How did Adult Dragon... fall?"
"The war was indeed sudden. Storm Family's attack was faster. When Chromatic Dragon launched the offensive, we were doing our best to destroy Bloodridge's Sky Altar. If successful, then our war against Titan can be called a great victory."
Valyria whispered, "Chromatic Dragon attacked our flanks, intending to cut off our troops and supplies from the rear in one fell swoop. Goliath Giant counterattacked from front to back, and strangled us to death in the Bloodridge area."
"It was only because Karajiege ordered all the troops to fight to the death that he was able to hold on until the dragons withdrew Sky Altar and returned to support the rear and flanks. However, he also exhausted his strength and was killed by Divine Chosen Julian Deville of Tiamat."
Valyria took a deep breath. "Karajiege died bravely. He was a pure-blooded Iron Dragon, worthy of his status and reputation."
"Julian·Deville."
Ferrum wrote down this name: "When I was in the fortress just now, I saw many wounded soldiers retreating from the front line. Fertile Hills Is the war situation serious enough?"
"It's more serious than you think."
Valyria's eyes crossed the city wall. "Storm Family and Emerald Family are still calling for backup. The troops they have invested have reached one hundred thousand. Together with Bloodridge Tribes's full counterattack, we in Fertile Hills Battlefield have to face more than 150,000 enemy troops."
Ferrum looked at the smoke column rising from Wilds. The total population of the tribes under Ashmark Lineage was only half a million, and the standing Warband soldiers were about 50,000. Even if the clan armies and lords' retinues from all over the world were summoned to join in, they would still be at a disadvantage in terms of strength.
"It has only been a week since Red Fort issued the war order to you, but six battles of various sizes have been fought on Wilds. Even in the smallest harassment battle, we have lost more than four hundred soldiers."
Valyria said, "Of course, the disadvantage in terms of military strength does not mean that we will definitely fail. Taigo is still the invincible Taigo. No matter Mountain Titan, Storm Divine Chosen or the Emerald Leader, they cannot defeat him alone. We have the most powerful leader, but he cannot appear in all places at the same time."
Ferrum nodded slightly. "What is the family's strategy?"
"Hold Wilds."
Young Dragon answered without hesitation, "We cannot tolerate the enemy entering Steelspine Plains and destroying the family's largest pasture. This is equivalent to cutting off our lifeline. No one can accept it, so we must firmly hold the control of Wilds and fight the enemy on the land in front."
"Storm Family has made a claim that Ashmark Lineage will be destroyed within three months."
Valyria's tone was somewhat mocking, and he looked into Ferrum's eyes. "Do you know why they would say such things?"
"Because of Chromatic Dragon's arrogance?"
"No, because they only last three months."
Valyria smiled, "Julian wants to bluff and make us feel afraid, but this just exposes their weakness, Storm Family and Emerald Family, Bloodridge Tribes has never been an ally, but a piece of loose sand. Chromatic Dragon is here to slaughter and plunder. Once they find that they cannot benefit and all they get from this war is death, they will immediately fall apart and fight among themselves."
"This is also the reason why we must defend Wilds. The family has gathered all its strength to give them a head-on attack here."
Valyria said proudly, "As for allies, we have allies. Let's let the enemies come and let them see what Heavy-Metal Dragon's bravery and ambition are. How can these humble Chromatic Dragon be as noble as Heavy-Metal Dragon?"
When she finished speaking, a dull horn suddenly sounded outside the city. The sound came from far to near. Dozens of hard workers and slaves pulled thick iron chains and trudged forward along the muddy road. Behind the chain was a huge car made of whole logs, with a dark boulder placed on the car.
The stone had no luster, but its surface was as smooth as crystal. When it was dragged into the city gate, a wizard's spell was extinguished silently.
"Null-Magic Stone." Ferrum whispered.
"Taigo took this treasure from Red Fort."
Valyria said, "The stone will be cut into several parts and distributed to all the heavy Hatchling Dragon who come to participate in the war. You and your companions will get a share. This is a battle of life and death. The family cannot afford to keep you out of it. Each Hatchling Dragon has its own Battlefield, but we will still provide protection for our descendants as much as possible."
Null-Magic Stone was originally something that did not distinguish between friend and foe, but Heavy-Metal Dragon concentrated its talents on the body. Unlike Chromatic Dragon and Metallic Dragon, once the magic power is suppressed, most of the power will be lost. Iron Dragon's great strength, Chrome Dragon's sharpness, and Cobalt Dragon's body will not disappear because of the silence of magic power. On Dragon and Dragon's Battlefield, such a Noble Phantasm can even reverse the situation.
"Why didn't Taigo kill Divine Chosen of Tiamat with Null-Magic Stone, but share it with us?" Ferrum asked.
"Null-Magic Stone is not an artifact. Its fluctuation range and suppression effect are limited. Legendary ones will not be affected."
Valyria shook his head. "Don't use it as a magic weapon to win on the spot. The family only hopes that you can use it to gain a little more life for yourself when you encounter the more powerful Chromatic Dragon. That will be enough."
The giant car passed slowly on the street. The peons' faces were red and their feet were slipping. The soldiers guarding both sides kept whipping their whips and ordering all those who stood in the way to move away.
Ferrum watched the piece of Null-Magic Stone enter the ordnance field. The stonemason who had been waiting for a long time raised his chisel and hammer and slowly cut the boulder into pieces of stone core that could be carried by Hatchling Dragon.
"Are there any enemies I need to pay attention to?" Ferrum looked away.
"You and your troops will be sent to Gray Sand Riverbank, which is not the main Battlefield. All Hatchling Dragon are not in the main Battlefield. The enemy may launch a special hunt against you, but this is also what we expected. The family has prepared countermeasures. As for the enemies that need your attention..."
Valyria looked slightly thoughtful. "The descendants of Blue Dragon and Green Dragon also joined this war. There is a Juvenile Dragon named Yuge·Kelangemo. I heard that he is the leader of the Juvenile Dragon group."
"Someone once said to me that Heavy-Metal Dragon cultivated in Ochre Valley cannot compete with Chromatic Dragon and Exotic Dragon. I don't believe it."
Valyria stretched out his claws and caressed Ferrum's back, as if caressing a rare treasure. "You are the child I raised. If you encounter that dragon, kill it, take its head, and come back to win for me."
Chrome Dragon narrowed his eyes and raised his neck. "I... understand."
"In a large-scale war, assessing the situation is more important than strength. If you encounter a danger that you cannot handle in the future, don't hesitate and move closer to Great Dragon who is closest to you."
Valyria warned, "All Giant Dragon lords in the family, whether Taigo, Veloa or Nolantel brothers, are targets you can trust and rely on."
"Does this include Zane?" Ferrum asked.
"Of course, including Zane."
Valyria said with great certainty, "Although Zane is Iron Dragon, she is more cruel and tyrannical than any Heavy-Metal Dragon. I don't like her either, but... even if you have some quarrel with Black Lake, Zane can still be trusted. Now her power is second only to Taigo."
"I understand."
"Leave now, take your Null-Magic Stone, and go to your Battlefield."
Valyria retracted his claws and turned around to leave. "Every dragon has its own Battlefield."